Physics Board: AQA What will I study?
How will I be assessed?
Studying A‐level physics will teach the student the basic principles of classical physics and provide an introduc on to some aspects of modern physics, providing insights into the underlying forces that determine the behaviour of the universe. The student will also learn many transferable skills that are valued by poten al employers: numeracy, graphical skills and the ability to analyse problems.
Paper 1 Par cles, waves, mechanics and elec‐ tricity. 34% of the A‐level. Paper 2 Thermal physics, fields and nuclear physics. 34% of the A‐level. Paper 3 Prac cal skills, data analysis and an op‐ onal topic. 32% of the A‐level.
The A‐level physics course covers topics such as subatomic par cles, quantum physics, kinema cs, dynamics, electrici‐ ty, nuclear physics and heat engines.
How does it work? Students are divided between two sets according to their A‐level choices. The teaching of all students is shared between two teachers. Each topic is followed up with short ques ons for homework. Once a sec on has been completed, examina on style ques ons are completed by students and marked by their teacher. Past examina on papers are used to prepare students for examina ons. Prac cal skills are con nuously developed throughout the course and are assessed through prac cal focused ques ons on exam papers
Students will have the op on of taking AS Physics at the end of the two year course as an alterna ve to the full A‐level.
Why Physics? Physics has always been one of the most versa le and well respected subjects for both university entrance requirements and for career choices including the Armed Forces. As well as the obvious relevance to courses in science, mathema cs and engineering, physics is also found useful for medical, law, financial, compu ng, architecture and geography departments to name just a few. Studying mathema cs at A‐level is not essen al for the A‐level physicist but it does provide useful reinforcement of some key ideas in mechanics etc. Chemistry and biology are also complementary subjects for those students wishing to go down a science route. 30
